Trade partner

France is of Germany of most important trade partners. The total value of export there amounted in the year 2004 to 75,3 billion euro, the total value of the goods, which were introduced from France to Germany, amounted 2004 to 52,2 billion euro. Altogether in the year 2004 goods in the value of 127,5 billion euro between the two countries were exchanged. The USA are the second largest trade partner of Germany. Altogether in the year 2004 goods and services in the value of 101,4 billion euro between Germany and the USA were exchanged. The imported goods amounted to Germany to 40,3 billion euro, the exports into the USA amounted to 61,1 billion euro. Germany exports mainly automobiles, machines, products of chemistry and heavy electrical equipment. A majority of the commercial activities takes place within the same industry or even the same company.

The German exports exceeded 2004 despite the strong euro and the high oil prices the record mark of the previous year. Accelerated of the world-economical upswing export added according to estimation of the statistic federal office by ten per cent.

Altogether 2004 goods in the value of 733,5 billion euro were exported and imported for 577,4 billion. Thus the imports climbed by 8,0 per cent upward in the comparison to the year 2004, but also the export surplus achieved a new historical highest level with 156,1 billion euro (+10.4% compared with 2003). The German foreign trade profited by it again from the durable world economic situation. The growth rate of 4,5 per cent was the highest for three decades.

The strong euro, which made German goods in countries, which do not belong to the euro zone, substantially more expensive, affected itself in relation to it only small. For the removal of all braking factors, including the high crude oil price, the global upswing is responsible according to to expert.

The imported goods from states of the European Union added 6.5 per cent, the imported goods from other regions by 9,8 per cent. Experts of economic politics prognosticate for 2005 imported goods and exports tightening further. The growth rates would adapt themselves however more strongly.

In this connection economists warn in addition, of record euphoria. The foreign trade balance may not be regarded as success measurers for a national economy. The imbalance in favor of export means also that capital from Germany flows off and other locations prefer investors.

In addition it is noticed that Germany is only with the export of goods "export world champion"; if one refers services also, there is the USA. The export success of German enterprises relates itself also, if one considers that ever more imported payments in advance are the basis for the German exports. In this connection even some economists warn of the fact that Germany comes to a bazaar economics.

German industrial enterprises

The table shows the 10 largest German industrial enterprises arranged according to conversion. (Conditions: 2004)

Competitive ability

In accordance with two from each other independent rank lists Germany is world-wide concerning competitive ability in 15. , and/or 23. Rank:

• Growth Competitiveness index 2005:1. Finland, 2. The USA, 3. Sweden, 4. Denmark, 5. Taiwan, 6. Singapore, 7. Iceland, 8. Switzerland, 9. Norway, 10. Australia, 11. The Netherlands, 12. Japan, 13. Great Britain, 14. Canada, 15. Germany. 117 countries were seized. Source: World Economic forum, Geneva. www.weforum.org.
• World Competitiveness Scoreboard 2005:1. The USA, 2. Hong Kong, 3. Singapore, 4. Iceland, 5. Canada, 6. Finland, 7. Denmark, 8. Switzerland, 9. Australia, 10. Luxembourg. Austria is in 17. Rank, Germany in 23. Rank (of 60 countries). Source: IMD Lausanne, 2005, www.imd.ch

Literature

• Ulrich van Suntum: Master plan Germany. With the principle simplicity back to success. 2005. ISBN 3423509015. - The author, Professor of the political economy, summarizes on 148 pages reform ideas.

Related links

• "Facts over Germany "of the Foreign Office with information for the economics of Germany
• "National economy Special "of the Federal association of the people and Raiffeisen banks with summaries of the appraisals of the research institutes and the board of experts
• www.deutsche-wirtschaft.de
• Federal Statistical Office Germany

See also: Portal: Economics

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